Here is a collection of good reads gathered from across the internet this past week. Enjoy!
On our union with Christ: A Beautiful Union for Broken Hearts by Allyson Todd
Doubts flood my mind when I feel pain. Will God ever relent? If He loved me, wouldn’t he end this? I can’t seem to move past my heartbreak, so does that mean I’m not a Christian?
If we belong to Christ’s blood-bought tribe of sojourners, we are fully His. Our faithfulness is dependent upon the One who dwells within us. This means that we can doubt our doubts. Even if we don’t feel like God hears us and struggle with doubt, we know that we belong to Jesus. (click here to read more)
On battling racism: Race, the Gospel, and the Moment by Tim Keller
First, Christians should look at the energized and emboldened white nationalism movement, and at its fascist slogans, and condemn it—full stop. No, “But on the other hand.” The main way most people are responding across the political spectrum is by saying, “See? This is what I have been saying all along! This just proves my point.” The conservatives are using the events to prove that liberal identity politics is wrong, and liberals are using it to prove that conservatism is inherently racist. We should not do that.
Second, this is a time to present the Bible’s strong and clear teachings about the sin of racism and of the idolatry of blood and country—again, full stop. In Acts 17:26, in the midst of an evangelistic lecture to secular, pagan philosophers, Paul makes the case that God created all the races “from one man.” Paul’s Greek listeners saw other races as barbarian, but against such views of racial superiority Paul makes the case that all races have the same Creator and are of one stock. (click here to read more)
On parenting: Loving Your Hard-to-Like Kids by Laura Booz
I wish I could say that I don’t relate to these questions, but I do. I have disliked each of our children at one time or another. For years, I have kept these occasional struggles to myself because I don’t like when I don’t like my own precious children.
My children are hurt by my broken affection; it permeates how I speak to them and how I treat them. I’ve worried about how it may affect them in the long run. Do you ever feel the same way?
God is leading me on a mission to understand and overcome this struggle. And I want to share the things He’s teaching me that are helping me to gain some perspective and victory. I hope they help you, too. (click here to read more)
On death and life: My Left Knee: A Heartwarming Story of Creeping Death by Jared C. Wilson
My left knee is a reminder that I am groaning for redemption. I am slowly wasting away, giving way to the real me, the one made in the likeness of my Redeemer, strong knees and all. And on that day I finally see his face, my knee won’t hurt any more. And I won’t care any more, or think about it to care. I’ll run tirelessly, leap fearlessly, even school you on the basketball court.
Until then, though, my left knee is a reminder that death is coming, but also that, charmingly enough, so is an eternal lease on life.
One day this knee will bow before its Maker. And all will be well. (click here to read more)
First Baptist Church 